The Prime Minister's White Moonlight - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: The Demand

Hanbi did not care about Consort Shu’s attitude and calmly said, “I have come to ask Niangniang for something.” Before she could finish, Jin Xia rushed in and hastily announced, “Eunuch Ji has arrived.” She completely ignored Hanbi’s presence.

Consort Shu’s beautiful eyes widened. “Quickly invite him in.” Ji Yi was Zhao Yan’s personal eunuch, and his status was far from ordinary.

Ji Yi entered the hall and bowed to Consort Shu. “Greetings, Consort Shu Niangniang. This servant is here to relay a message from His Majesty. He suggests that you let Consort Cui assist you in managing the Six Palaces to a certain extent, lest you become overly exhausted like the Empress Niangniang.”

Since it was Zhao Yan’s instruction, Consort Shu naturally agreed wholeheartedly. However, as soon as Ji Yi left the Chonghua Palace, she could barely maintain her composure. Still, she managed to say with dignity, “May I ask what Consort Cui wants?”

Hanbi covered her mouth and chuckled. “It’s just the account books of the expenditures of the various palaces. After all, I must share Niangniang’s burdens.” Consort Shu then commanded Jin Xia, “Go fetch them and give them to Consort Cui.”

After Hanbi also left, Consort Shu’s face was ashen. She casually threw the sky-blue tea cup near her, and it immediately shattered. Jin Xia immediately knelt and pleaded for mercy. “Niangniang, this servant was unaware!” she said, knocking her head on the ground.

Jin Xia was not lying. Consort Shu gritted her teeth. “I have been calculated against, but you were also too foolish. She is someone who never visits without a purpose.”

Thinking of the loss she suffered, Consort Shu felt even more resentment. However, since she was currently managing the harem, she did not have the energy to focus solely on dealing with Hanbi. With this thought, Consort Shu shook her head. “Get up. In the future, if you wish to do anything to that Consort Cui, you must ask for my permission first.”

Jin Xia hurriedly kowtowed in gratitude, and fearing that Consort Shu would be irritated by her presence, she quickly retreated.

When Zhao Pei was released from prison, he was almost emaciated. He was still wearing the clothes he was arrested in. Liu Jiran and his clan uncle, who had rushed to the capital, were the ones to pick him up.

As soon as he saw Liu Jiran, he burst into tears. “Brother Liu, I thought I would never see you again in this life.” Seeing him cry so pitifully, Liu Jiran could only comfort him. “There, there, you’re out now.”

Zhao Pei still had some regard for the public gaze and quickly stopped crying. “My being released must be largely due to Brother Liu’s great help. Let’s go, let’s go, I’ll reserve a magnificent banquet at Baifan Tower.”

Baifan Tower was the best restaurant in the capital, even better than Zuichao Tower, which Zhao Pei had taken Liu Jiran to last time. A banquet there could not be bought with money alone; connections were also needed. However, the Zhao family was acquainted with the owner of Baifan Tower, so a banquet was not a problem.

Liu Jiran initially wanted to decline, but Zhao Pei’s clan uncle intervened. “Top Scholar Liu, please come. You have put in a lot of effort for Pei’er’s matter, and our Zhao family is not one to be ungrateful.”

This was true. Liu Jiran had been running around for Zhao Pei’s release. Zhao Pei heard his clan uncle address him as Top Scholar and was moved. He cupped his hands and bowed. “Brother Liu has actually achieved the rank of Top Scholar! I haven’t congratulated Brother Liu yet. This banquet should definitely be hosted by me.”

Liu Jiran helplessly allowed Zhao Pei and his clan uncle to lead the way to Baifan Tower. The clan uncle saw someone he knew and smiled. “I won’t join you young people for fun.”

Liu Jiran and Zhao Pei were led by a waiter to a private room, which was even more secluded than the environment of Zuichao Tower. Zhao Pei hadn’t had any good food for days and was now determined to make up for it. He ordered to the waiter beside him, “First, give us Crystal Cured Meat, Phoenix Tail Shrimp, Chicken Soup with Shredded Tofu, and Crackling Fried Bell.”

After ordering, Zhao Pei asked Liu Jiran, “Brother Liu, is there anything you’d like to eat? Just order.” Liu Jiran smiled and shook his head. “Then, a dish of West Lake Vinegar Fish.” After the dishes were ordered, the waiter finally left.

While waiting for the food, the two could finally discuss the recent situation. Zhao Pei said, “Brother Liu, after this incident, I’m afraid I can only return to Pingxiang.” Liu Jiran was silent. He also knew that it would be extremely difficult for Zhao Pei to achieve any official success after this ordeal. However, he was not good at comforting others. After some thought, he said, “It doesn’t matter. The capital might not be free enough for you, let alone becoming an official.”

Zhao Pei took a sip of the wine the waiter had just brought up and said, “That’s true. But if Brother Liu ever needs my help in the future, just say the word.”

Liu Jiran thought for a moment and said, “I didn’t save you for anything in return. We were simply classmates, and you are not a bad person.” Although Liu Jiran was stubborn, he couldn’t stand seeing others suffer injustice.

Zhao Pei poured wine for him. “You’re right.” He raised his wine cup. “To Brother Liu.” Liu Jiran had no choice but to take a sip. After a moment, the waiters brought all the dishes. The two talked, drank, and ate until dusk, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Liu Jiran returned to his courtyard alone. It was an allocation for the Jinshi from the court. Otherwise, with his means, he wouldn’t be able to afford a house in the capital. However, Hanbi had also played a part in this. The courtyard allocated to him was neither too close nor too far, yet it was not conspicuous.

In a few days, Liu Jiran was due to receive his official appointment. However, he didn’t know where he would be assigned. Although he had become a member of Hanbi’s faction because of the Zhao Pei incident, it was impossible for Hanbi to make things easy for him. Fortunately, he had prepared himself to rely on his own efforts for everything.

With this thought, when he woke up the next day, Liu Jiran remembered that Zhao Pei was going back to Pingxiang today. He quickly got dressed and left the courtyard to see him off to the outskirts of the city.

Zhao Pei was on horseback. Seeing Liu Jiran also riding towards him, he smiled. “I thought Brother Liu wasn’t coming.” Liu Jiran frowned slightly. That was why he didn’t like drinking.

Zhao Pei’s clan uncle, seeing Liu Jiran, naturally showed some respect. “Top Scholar Liu.” Liu Jiran returned the bow. “Uncle Zhao, why are you so polite?”

Zhao Pei was about to leave and cupped his hands to Liu Jiran. “Brother Liu, the mountains are high and the water is long. Take care.” Liu Jiran returned the gesture. “Brother Zhao, you must cherish yourself.”

Looking at Zhao Pei’s retreating figure, Liu Jiran felt a little lost, but eventually, he turned his horse around and galloped back toward the capital.

On the day of his official appointment, Liu Jiran went to the Hanlin Academy to collect his official robe. Since everyone was of the ninth rank, the official robes were naturally blue. The Hanlin Academy was mainly responsible for compiling books and drafting celebratory texts. As a newly appointed Attendant, Liu Jiran naturally didn’t get any good assignments.

However, the library in the Hanlin Academy housed an enormous number of books. The books were stacked on shelves in volumes. Liu Jiran felt a sense of vastness in the midst of it all. He was content to flip through the books under the pretense of cleaning.

However, within a few days, Liu Jiran discovered that although there were many books in the library, they were not categorized and were placed in disarray. A subtle idea began to form in his mind.

One day, Yin Dianji, the official in charge of the library, came. He was a minor official whose rank was slightly higher than Liu Jiran’s but was not very successful. Liu Jiran thought he still needed to tell him about his plan.

When Liu Jiran saw Yin Dianji, he said, “Liu Jiran pays his respects to Yin Dianji.” Yin Dianji looked very amiable, but at the age of over thirty, he already showed signs of aging.

Yin Dianji slightly raised his eyelids and smiled. “Attendant Liu, I have heard of you.” Liu Jiran appeared somewhat uneasy. “Officer Yin, just call me Jiran.”

Yin Dianji smiled broadly. “Jiran, then tell me about it.” Liu Jiran responded, “Yes, there are many books in the library, but the current arrangement makes them seem a bit messy. This humble official believes the book titles should be organized into a catalogue, which would facilitate access.”

“That’s a good idea. Since that’s the case, I’ll entrust this task to you,” Officer Yin said amiably. However, Liu Jiran felt an ominous premonition. He was just a minor official. How could he properly catalogue so many books in the library without help?

However, he couldn’t openly contradict his superior. Liu Jiran could only nod in affirmation. Fortunately, he currently had little presence in the Hanlin Academy, and no one instructed him to do anything extra. Days passed, and Liu Jiran did manage to organize a catalogue.

But when he presented the catalogue to Yin Dianji, Yin Dianji only gave it a cursory glance and said, “There are still a few errors. How about you leave it with me for now? I will correct these parts before submitting it to the Grand Academician for review.”

Liu Jiran was helpless. Since Yin Dianji had spoken, he dared not act rashly. However, lying on his couch that night, he felt uneasy, knowing that his efforts of the past few days were now in someone else’s hands.

Sure enough, his unease was quickly realized. “Who is Attendant Liu?” A sharp-eyed person recognized the attendant next to the Grand Academician. Liu Jiran had no choice but to rise from his seat and slightly cup his hands. “That would be me.”

Liu Jiran followed the attendant to see the Grand Academician, his palms already mostly sweaty. The Grand Academician liked plants, so the area was filled with exotic flowers and herbs, but Liu Jiran was not in the mood to appreciate them.

The Grand Academician looked a bit old, wearing a gauze cap and a scarlet robe, appearing somewhat somber. Liu Jiran bowed. “Greetings, Grand Academician.”

The Grand Academician did not let him rise. “Attendant Liu, I know you are new to the Hanlin Academy. The idea of compiling a catalogue of the library’s book titles is not entirely without merit.” Liu Jiran did not feel relieved. The other party’s tone shifted. “However, wouldn’t everyone have thought of this? Why has no one brought it up before? You should think carefully about this.”

Liu Jiran walked out of the Grand Academician’s office, his back drenched in cold sweat. He then saw Hanbi sitting in a pavilion not far away, seemingly having waited for a long time.

“I should call you Attendant Liu now,” Hanbi teased. Liu Jiran, however, was not in the mood for jokes. “Consort Zhaoyi, please stop making fun of me.”

Hanbi heard this, withdrew her smile, and looked at him. “How was it?” Liu Jiran sighed. “The Grand Academician is your person, isn’t he? Otherwise, it’s hard to say if I could have walked out today.”

Hanbi shook her head. “You guessed wrong. He is not my person. It’s just that my father was acquainted with him before and they had some friendly ties.”

Liu Jiran looked at the scenery outside the pavilion with a somewhat blank expression. “Then what do you want to tell me, Zhaoyi?” He truly couldn’t figure Hanbi out. However, the recent experience still left him with lingering fear. He thought of Yin Dianji’s seemingly amiable face and let out a self-mocking laugh.